Towards a more robust representation of lithic industries in archaeology: a critical review of traditional approaches and modern techniques
Often comprising vast numbers of artifacts, prehistoric lithic assemblages are presented in publications in the form of drawings, diagrams, photographs, or extracts from 3D acquisitions. These visual representations are designed to highlight the most characteristic typological and technological feat...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Peer Community In
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Peer Community Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://peercommunityjournal.org/articles/10.24072/pcjournal.562/ |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849247460317200384 |
|---|---|
| author | Looten, Julien Gravina, Brad Muth, Xavier Villaeys, Maxime Bordes, Jean-Guillaume |
| author_facet | Looten, Julien Gravina, Brad Muth, Xavier Villaeys, Maxime Bordes, Jean-Guillaume |
| author_sort | Looten, Julien |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Often comprising vast numbers of artifacts, prehistoric lithic assemblages are presented in publications in the form of drawings, diagrams, photographs, or extracts from 3D acquisitions. These visual representations are designed to highlight the most characteristic typological and technological features of a given assemblage. However, the selection of pieces to illustrate is dictated by constraints of time, budget, or space. Moreover, inaccuracies in drawings or poorly lit photographs can cause confusion and problems of interpretation, while more precise, complex, or time-consuming methods can only be applied to a limited number of objects. After a brief overview of the advantages and limitations of the main types of stone tool representations, namely standard drawing and photography, we detail the acquisition of 3D models through photogrammetry in relation to Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI). Although less widely known than 3D imaging, RTI is an inexpensive, easily transferred photographic method that can be performed using non specialist equipment. It allows for the visualization of an object’s interactions with artificial light and enhances the perception of its microtopography. RTI provides a more comprehensive documentation of stone tools, including flake scars, use-wear traces, and post-depositional alterations, and thereby enhances the accuracy and, by extension, the objectivity of stone tool representations and artifact characterization. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d13d156d090843fca0c49cd72c02e885 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2804-3871 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Peer Community In |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Peer Community Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-d13d156d090843fca0c49cd72c02e8852025-08-20T03:58:13ZengPeer Community InPeer Community Journal2804-38712025-05-01510.24072/pcjournal.56210.24072/pcjournal.562Towards a more robust representation of lithic industries in archaeology: a critical review of traditional approaches and modern techniques Looten, Julien0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4131-1740Gravina, Brad1Muth, Xavier2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9412-9176Villaeys, Maxime3Bordes, Jean-Guillaume4https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7350-0122University of Lille, UMR-8164 HALMA, Lille, FranceMusée national de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies, France ; University of Bordeaux, UMR-5199 PACEA, Bordeaux, FranceGet in Situ, Riex, Switzerland; School of Engineering and Management Vaud, HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western, SwitzerlandMusée national de Préhistoire, Les Eyzies, France University of Bordeaux, UMR-5199 PACEA, Bordeaux, FranceOften comprising vast numbers of artifacts, prehistoric lithic assemblages are presented in publications in the form of drawings, diagrams, photographs, or extracts from 3D acquisitions. These visual representations are designed to highlight the most characteristic typological and technological features of a given assemblage. However, the selection of pieces to illustrate is dictated by constraints of time, budget, or space. Moreover, inaccuracies in drawings or poorly lit photographs can cause confusion and problems of interpretation, while more precise, complex, or time-consuming methods can only be applied to a limited number of objects. After a brief overview of the advantages and limitations of the main types of stone tool representations, namely standard drawing and photography, we detail the acquisition of 3D models through photogrammetry in relation to Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI). Although less widely known than 3D imaging, RTI is an inexpensive, easily transferred photographic method that can be performed using non specialist equipment. It allows for the visualization of an object’s interactions with artificial light and enhances the perception of its microtopography. RTI provides a more comprehensive documentation of stone tools, including flake scars, use-wear traces, and post-depositional alterations, and thereby enhances the accuracy and, by extension, the objectivity of stone tool representations and artifact characterization.https://peercommunityjournal.org/articles/10.24072/pcjournal.562/Stone toolsrepresentationRTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging)photography3D modelsphotogrammetrymodern techniquesprehistorylithic artifactStone toolsrepresentationRTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging)photography3D modelsphotogrammetrymodern techniquesprehistorylithic artifact |
| spellingShingle | Looten, Julien Gravina, Brad Muth, Xavier Villaeys, Maxime Bordes, Jean-Guillaume Towards a more robust representation of lithic industries in archaeology: a critical review of traditional approaches and modern techniques Peer Community Journal Stone tools representation RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging) photography 3D models photogrammetry modern techniques prehistory lithic artifact Stone tools representation RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging) photography 3D models photogrammetry modern techniques prehistory lithic artifact |
| title | Towards a more robust representation of lithic industries in archaeology: a critical review of traditional approaches and modern techniques
|
| title_full | Towards a more robust representation of lithic industries in archaeology: a critical review of traditional approaches and modern techniques
|
| title_fullStr | Towards a more robust representation of lithic industries in archaeology: a critical review of traditional approaches and modern techniques
|
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards a more robust representation of lithic industries in archaeology: a critical review of traditional approaches and modern techniques
|
| title_short | Towards a more robust representation of lithic industries in archaeology: a critical review of traditional approaches and modern techniques
|
| title_sort | towards a more robust representation of lithic industries in archaeology a critical review of traditional approaches and modern techniques |
| topic | Stone tools representation RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging) photography 3D models photogrammetry modern techniques prehistory lithic artifact Stone tools representation RTI (Reflectance Transformation Imaging) photography 3D models photogrammetry modern techniques prehistory lithic artifact |
| url | https://peercommunityjournal.org/articles/10.24072/pcjournal.562/ |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lootenjulien towardsamorerobustrepresentationoflithicindustriesinarchaeologyacriticalreviewoftraditionalapproachesandmoderntechniques AT gravinabrad towardsamorerobustrepresentationoflithicindustriesinarchaeologyacriticalreviewoftraditionalapproachesandmoderntechniques AT muthxavier towardsamorerobustrepresentationoflithicindustriesinarchaeologyacriticalreviewoftraditionalapproachesandmoderntechniques AT villaeysmaxime towardsamorerobustrepresentationoflithicindustriesinarchaeologyacriticalreviewoftraditionalapproachesandmoderntechniques AT bordesjeanguillaume towardsamorerobustrepresentationoflithicindustriesinarchaeologyacriticalreviewoftraditionalapproachesandmoderntechniques |